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Merrill wins NLL Defensive Player of the Year Award

May 2, 2006 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Portland Lumberjax News Release


It was announced by the National Lacrosse League today that Brodie Merrill won the Belmont.com Defensive Player of the Year Award. Merrill becomes the first rookie to win the award outright. He has been influential in the LumberJax success this season, helping contribute to the team's defensive line. The Jax assistant captain scooped up 214 loose balls this season, and leads all defensemen by a margin of 60 loose balls.

Merrill is 1st in points (49), 2nd in goals (17), 2nd in assists (32) and tied for 2nd in game winning goals (1) for NLL defensive players. He is also 2nd in total shots (69) and is tied for 3rd in power play goals (1). The 2005 #1 draft pick only trailed the league's loose ball leader Jim Veltman (Toronto) by 12 loose balls. Veltman has been the NLL loose ball leader for 13 of the last 14 years.

Merrill collected seven weekly awards throughout the season. He helped lead the expansion Portland club to the West Division regular season title and a tie for best record in the league at 11-5. Merrill anchored a Portland defense that allowed 177 goals during the regular season, ranking fifth in the league. Winning the last six games, Merrill and the Jax defense were able to hold their last four opponents to 10 goals or less.

Previous winners of this award include Andrew Turner in 2005, Cam Woods and Taylor Wray in 2004 (co-winners), and Jim Moss in 2003. Wray was a rookie for the Calgary Roughnecks when he and Woods were co-winners of the award in 2004. The award winners are chosen by a vote of the leagues coaches, general managers, and executives.

The National Lacrosse League and ESPN2 have announced the network will televise the league's 2006 Championship Game live on Saturday, May 13 at 6PM Eastern/3PM Pacific.

Deposits are now being accepted for season tickets by calling 503.797.9739 or going to PortlandJax.com. Group tickets can be purchased by calling 503.797.9739. For single event suites call 503.963.3800.

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